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Cape unified flag football falls in DIAA semis

Palmer scores 16 points in Vikings’ loss
The Cape unified flag football team qualified for the DIAA semifinals before falling to Caesar Rodney. Shown in back are (l-r) head coach Drew Messick, partner Josh Reinhold, partner Quinn McCullough, partner Frankie Fuscellaro, athlete Luke Jefferson, coach Tom MacLeish, athlete Damien Elliott, assistant coach Theresa McCloy and athlete Peyton Lamson-Reich. In front are partner Lainey Shockro, athlete Tony Palmer, partner Jackson Wood and athlete Alejandro Alvarez-Roman. Not present at the game were team members Maddox Gipko, Vlad Ticala, Evan Zinzi, Brogan Evick, Ellis Jack, Jayceon White and Jerome Kochinsky. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
December 17, 2020

The Cape unified flag football squad came back from a 23-0 halftime deficit to rally to within six points in the fourth quarter before falling 36-22 to Caesar Rodney in the DIAA semifinals Dec. 16 at Riders Stadium. The Vikings end the 2020 season at 2-3.

The No. 2-seeded Riders will face top-seeded Dover Friday, Dec. 18, at Dover. Dover defeated Smyrna 63-45 in the other semifinal.

The night air was damp and chilly, but the two unified teams heated up the turf with passes, scrambles, rushes, blitzes and scores. The intestinal fortitude displayed by all players brought cheers from the fans in the bleachers. Each player congratulated their opponents on a game well played.

“We got down early but our players didn’t give up,” said assistant coach Theresa McCloy. “We came back and had an awesome second half. We are just happy we were able to have a season, and making it to the semifinals was icing on the cake. We have a great group of players and are excited to see how far we can go next year. We will miss our seniors Quinn McCullough and Luke Jefferson. They have been with the team since its inception.”

 

Cape’s Tony Palmer runs for a touchdown in the semifinal loss. He scored 16 points in the game.
Cape unified partner Josh Reinhold looks for Tony Palmer across the middle while athlete No. 53 Damian Elliott pass blocks.
Caesar Rodney athlete Ammar McNair runs for a long gain while defensive partner Josh Reinhold sets up to pull her flag.
Cape head coach Drew Messick and assistant coach Theresa McCloy are attentive from the sideline.
Cape unified partner Francis Fuscellaro makes the pass before Caesar Rodney athlete Na’Siem Velez pulls the flag.
Caesar Rodney athlete Ammar McNair pulls in a completion.
Cape partner Lainey Shockro pulls the flag of Caesar Rodney’s Christopher Cerasari.
Head coach Drew Messick, left, elbow bumps athlete Alejandro Alvarez-Roman after an offensive series.
Defensive partner Lainey Shockro breaks down to get the flag of Caesar Rodney’s Ammar McNair.
Cape partner Jackson Wood makes an interception in front of Caesar Rodney’s Steven Grossman.
Cape partner quarterback Josh Reinhold gets intense pass blocking from athletes Alejandro Alvarez-Roman, left, and Damien Elliott.
Cape assistant coach Theresa McCloy goes over defensive strategy with Cape partner Lainey Shockro.
Cape unified athlete No. 53 Damien Elliott played on both sides of the ball.
Cape athlete Peyton Lamson-Reich nearly scored on this long run.
Both teams pose for a photo after the intense competition.
Cape athlete Tony Palmer dives forward for more yardage.

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